Latina Writing Comunidad

This book explores the grief of a younger sister, Julie, coming to terms with the sudden loss of her seemingly perfect older sister, Olga. While Olga embodied tradition, attending church and prioritizing family, Julie harbors dreams pursuing a more modern path. Torn between resentment for a sister she never fully understood, Julie embarks on a quest to uncover her sister’s suspected secrets. This...

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb • Lori pulls back the curtain on therapy in a unique way. We see her not only as a therapist guiding her clients, but also as a client herself, seeking guidance through a tough breakup that uncovers deeper issues. Through her personal and professional experiences, Gottlieb paints a compelling picture of therapy's power. It's not just for th...

This episode is unscripted and unfiltered, a chance to connect on a real level and get to know me. I'm peeling back the layers and revealing more about my life behind the mic. Curious about how this podcast comes to life? I'm spilling the beans! From the spark of inspiration to the nitty-gritty production details. I'll also be sharing my perspective of being first-gen / bicultural, as...

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig • This book explores the multiverse theory, proposing an infinite number of parallel lives unfolding simultaneously. We meet Nora, a character brimming with regrets. As she explores the multiverse, we, the readers, learn valuable lessons alongside her. It's a healing journey that reminds us that we have the power to be anything! After all, in some reality, we...

Join Vanessa and her second-ever guest, Violetta, of @Latinx_Estrangement! Violetta is a Spanglish speaking, Mexican-American licensed therapist who works with clients in California and Texas. She supports folks who don't feel safe and supported by their families. Follow her on socials and sign up for her monthly newsletter here: https://tr.ee/aznxVa8zIJ

Evil Eye by Etaf Rum • This book delves into the life of Yara, a first-generation Palestinian millennial grappling with her cultural heritage and personal struggles. The narrative unfolds through her introspective lens, revealing the complexities of navigating life as a child of immigrants. Yara's family’s displacement from their homeland casts a long shadow, shaping her parents' decision...

Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph. D. This episode explores how owning your sexuality isn't just about personal fulfillment, but a catalyst for broader societal change. By dismantling harmful power structures around women's bodies, we pave the way for a more just and equitable world. This episode dives into: • Tools for beginners and the language you need in order to explore your sexual...

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang • When a freak pancake-eating accident tragically claimed Athena's life, June stole her frenemy's unpublished manuscript while she waited for help to arrive. Seizing the opportunity, she made edits and presented it as her own, propelling herself to fame and fortune. Who gets to tell whose stories? This book plunges us into the complexities of racial narratives and...

Join our most recent bookclub meetup where we chat about several books we've read over the years, Colleen Hoover, the types of books we like & don't like, and so much more! Disclaimer: We were in a restaurant so you might hear us munching on bread, the chef's preparing food, or music playing in the background. It's a mess but we had fun and that's all that matters :)

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey •  Admittedly, we started reading McConaughey's memoir with preconceived notions. He was the golden boy of the early 2000s rom-coms, an undeniable Hollywood charm machine. But "Greenlights" shattered that carefully crafted image, revealing a more accurate depiction of the man beneath the Texas drawl. The raw honesty about his upbringing was eye-openin...

The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager • The author's mastery of the "millennial female voice" is what initially hooked me. Riley Sager effortlessly navigates the nuances of our generation, making the protagonist instantly relatable and at times insufferable. This skill becomes even more crucial in the face of the book's creepy atmosphere when the neighbor's drowning sets the...

Cultura & Cash by Giovanna Gonzalez • I was actually able to get early access through the author's (@gigithefirstgenmentor) Cultural & Cash Crew program and read the book before it was even released! As a first gen Latina, I felt so seen reading this book. Gigi’s mission is to equip people of the global majority with the tools and confidence to manage our finances, overcome debt, build...

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride journeys through the lives of about 30 residents in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, sharing their hopes, struggles, and how they come together. You meet the alleged descendants of the Mayflower and Ellis Island voyagers, newcomers seeking to escape past mistakes, and lifelong townies. I encountered African American, Jewish, Russian, Greek, Italian, Roma...

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut • Engaging with banned books brings me immense joy. Banned books expose you to a variety of perspectives and ideas that challenge societal norms, and often leave us with a sense of empowerment. As society advances, women gain the ability to stay informed, voice their opinions, and challenge conventions. It’s important that Chick Lit covers heavy topics like the...

Too Soon for Adiós by Annette Chavez Macias • The author, Annette Chavez Macias, beautifully captured the Latino/Mexican American experience throughout the book. Annette showcased Latino culture with an incredible blend of tenderness and care. The use of Spanglish in the book is authentic and avoids any cringe-worthy moments, a rarity in media representations. Annette's portrayal of Mexican di...

Mental health stigma is a societal problem that has a significant negative impact on people with mental health conditions. The stigma can lead to reduced hope, lower self-esteem, increased symptoms, difficulties at work, and a lower likelihood of maintaining treatment plans. It can also lead to discrimination in the workplace, housing, healthcare, and more. The stigma is often rooted in negative s...

Olga's ability to navigate the world of the wealthy is showcased alongside her community-focused actions. Despite her avoidance of romance, she unexpectedly finds herself entangled with Matteo, leading to moments of confusion and self-reflection. Matteo challenges Olga's defenses and, throughout the book, patiently supports her during challenging times. Their journey highlights the importa...

In this charming holiday romance, Snowed In by Catherine Walsh, Megan and Christian, childhood friends with contrasting personalities, pretend to be each other's significant others for Christmas. Their fake relationship sparks a delightful tension as Christian's thoughtful gestures and Megan's playful banter add to the heartwarming story, making it a perfect read for the holiday season...

I dive into the haunting tale of Sethe, a former slave who made the agonizing decision to kill her own child, Beloved, rather than let her experience the horrors of slavery. We explore the enduring trauma of slavery, the complexities of intergenerational healing, and the presence of Beloved, a manifestation of Sethe's grief and longing.  In the forward, Toni Morrison lists writers with outrage...

A young woman is taken from her home and forced to live in the faerie realm. She falls in love with Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, but their relationship is threatened by Amarantha and Feyre must find a way to save her loved ones and her world. Both Twilight and Court of Thorns and Roses are fantasy novels that feature a forbidden romance between a human and a supernatural being. Both...

The opening scene of Verity is graphic and violent, but it sets the stage for the suspenseful and thrilling story that follows. Lowen, I call her Lo throughout the episode, is a struggling writer who is hired by Jeremy Crawford to finish his wife's book series after Verity is involved in a car accident. Lowen moves into the Crawfords' home to work on the book, but she soon begins to experi...

Alcohol is a harmful, addictive drug. Society has a misconception of what it means to be alcoholic. Alcoholism is not about the amount of drinks you have per week, but about whether drinking negatively impacts your life and continuing to drink anyway. Current recovery programs, such as AA, were created by white men in the 1930s and are not inclusive of women or people of the global majority. The a...

Not a book review! Join me as I unravel the multiple layers of my podcast's origin story, from personal support to cultural impact. I delve into the compelling backstory of the podcast and the essential support from my mom, loved ones, and boyfriend, which enabled me to dedicate myself to this project. I explore the importance of representation, feeling seen, and humanizing other cultures in t...

Cara is a dedicated community member with a strong commitment to making a difference. Within the book, Cara passionately shares her and her community's story, highlighting the struggles they face and how the support often comes from fellow community members facing similar challenges.

The protagonist, Adelaide, navigates challenges such as endometriosis, family mental health issues, and past traumatic relationships. Adelaide's journey is marked by self-destructive behavior and her involvement with Rory, who fails to treat her as she deserves. She also grapples with her relationship with alcohol, often using it as a coping mechanism. Her character frequently puts others'...